Real Madrid have lavished praise on Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the new Juventus signing as a role model in terms of commitment, hard work, responsibility, talent and self-improvement.

The European champions issued a statement to announce the departure of the Portugal captain for Turin after agreeing to a four-year deal worth 88 million Pounds, 8 million more than what they paid to sign him from Manchester United in 2009.

The statement read: Real Madrid C. F. inform that, as per Cristiano Ronaldo’s wishes and at his request, the club has allowed the player to complete his move to Juventus F. C.

Real Madrid would today like to place on record its thanks to a player who has shown himself to be the best in the world and made his mark on one of the greatest periods in our club’s history and on the world game.

Apart from the titles he has lifted, the honours secured and the on-field achievements during these nine years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a role model in terms of commitment, hard work, responsibility, talent and self-improvement.

He became Real Madrid’s leading all-time goalscorer, having scored 451 goals in his 438 appearances. In total, he won 16 pieces of silverware, including four European Cup crowns, three of which came in successive years, with these four continental triumphs coming in the past five seasons. In terms of individual honours, as a Real Madrid player, he won the Ballon d’Or on four occasions, The Best award twice and claimed the Golden Shoe three times, amongst many other accolades.

Cristiano Ronaldo will forever be one of Real Madrid’s biggest icons and will represent a unique figure for future generations.